By Obiageli Onuorah
REMTRACK: INFORMATION AND POWER IN THE HANDS OF THE CITIZENS
Remtrack is an online application designed to unpack the complex web of remedial issues highlighted in each NEITI industry reports into user-friendly on-the-go pieces of information and advocacy in furtherance of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Remtrack was thus created to fill the gap in tracking the implementation of extractive industries report findings and recommendations.
The APP was developed by a Nigerian parliamentary monitoring non-governmental organisation-Orderpaper. Remtrack was launched on the 4th December 2019 in collaboration with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative -NEITI supported by then Facility for Oil Sector Transformation -FOSTER. The App was designed to facilitate transfer of knowledge and information, mobilise citizens for engagement and drive advocacy for extractive sector reforms in Nigeria, (orderpaper.com).
According to OrderPaper, Remtrack is a global innovation being the first of its kind throughout the world conceived to foster the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process in Nigeria. The app clearly aligns with the drive of the global EITI to encourage the use of data and technology to promote the key objectives of transparency and accountability in the extractives sector of all implementing countries.
At inception, the sole source of information for Remtrack was the NEITI industry reports. Series of meetings were held at the NEITI Secretariat with representatives of Orderpaper, NEITI and some civil society actors. NEITI provided updates on the progress of implementation of the recommendations in its industry reports and considered the remedial issues as resolved, unresolved and pending or ongoing. The content of the APP has been expanded to include information and issues on extractive industries both locally, nationally and globally. A look at the platform of the APP shows information culled from OPEC, NNPCL, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Worldbank, EITI, NEITI, etc. This promises to make the APP a one-stop shop for information to the average Nigerian or interested persons on extractive industry issues benchmarked against international best practices.
It is however, unfortunate that the hype and excitement that welcomed the launch of the App has waned. The introduction of what Remtrack is which was posted on the Facebook page of NEITI on 2 May, 2019 was ‘liked’ and ‘forwarded’ by only 2 persons. No comment was recorded when the same information was retrieved on Sunday 25 August, 2024. It is even difficult to access the App on the Google Playstore, thereby defeating the aim of having a real time, on-the-go tracker or tool of the Nigerian extractive industry for the citizens.
With the enactment of the PIA and the need to effectively monitor the implementation of the various sections of the Act particularly dealing with Host Community issues, track social expenditure payments, community developments agreements in the mining sector, etc, as mandated by the EITI Standard, the need to revitalize and reactivate the App is now an urgency. With modern technology and the needed support, the Remtrack App can be upgraded to support in tracking issues like oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal mining, environmental degradation and other plethora of issues bedevilling Nigeria’s oil gas and mining sectors. Using the App, feedback can be given to government officials, policy makers, companies and other responsible bodies on the goings on in the host communities and the routes and corridors used to evacuate our mineral resources whether for export or local production and use.
In 2020, the world, Nigeria inclusive went through the pains of isolation and shut-down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of technology for communication and other uses was unprecedented. Rising from that experience and with rising costs of face to face meeting logistics and security issues, the deployment of technology for citizens’ mobilisation and engagements makes the call for the reactivation of Remtrack more urgent. The App would facilitate and support evidence-based advocacy and subsequently drive reforms in Nigeria’s extractive sector
As a digital and technological application, Remtrack would create the platform for citizens engagement and participation in facilitating transparency in Nigeria’s extractive sector and at the same time the demand accountability from companies and government for their actions or inactions in providing policy direction for the country’s extractive industry. The role of digital governance at the moment is largely one of facilitation rather than regulation. For Marc and Kim, (2007): “Digital governance is comprised of both digital government (delivery and public services) and digital democracy (citizens participation in governance). Therefore, digital governance which Remtrack as a tool is facilitating and enhancing, will empower Nigerians, using it as a technological app to exercise their civil rights and take the driver’s seat in driving reforms in the extractive sector.
Government has already embraced tools similar to Remtrack to drive development. The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari deployed the use of “Eye Mark” as a digital governance tool that the citizens used to monitor, track, give reviews and feedback in real time on the progress of execution and implementation of public projects at various stages. This promotes participation in governance. Nigerians can with a click of the button access project information by installing the Eye Mark app on their phones. Remtrack as a digital tool should be reactivated to play similar role in Nigeria’s extractive sector where it is most needed at this time. Like Eye Mark, Remtrack is a homegrown design and innovation to easily track the progress of remediation efforts not just in NEITI’s reports, but other issues in Nigeria’s natural resource governance.
NEITI’s reports are replete with remediation efforts in the mainstream and social media. Remtrack with the required support can expand, deepen and enhance the visibility of these issues, while eliciting citizens interest on the reports’ recommendations. NEITI’s mandate is to enthrone transparency and accountability in the governance of Nigeria’s extractive industries through public disclosure. Remtrack on the other hand, is a digital tool designed to meander through the maze of reports recommendations, simplify the pieces of information and data and communicate same to Nigerians.
Whenever NEITI releases its reports, the mainstream media is inundated with headlines: “N13trn bill: why petrol subsidy must be removed – NEITI”. This caption is accompanied with a photo of a combined human and vehicular crowded filling station queuing for fuel. Daily Trust will read: “FG spend N13trn on subsidy in 16years, thieves stole N16trn oil – NEITI” etc. The question remains why Nigerians especially internet users are not reacting to these reports that are in the public domain for all to access? If Remtrack is re-activated, a buzz would ensue, content creators could make skits out of the reports, bloggers will write critical analysis of the reports etc. There is a need for aggressive awareness campaigns and advocacy on the NEITI industry reports in other to elicit national interest and discourse. This is the major role of the civil society and the Remtrack Application can facilitate the process.
Obiageli Onuorah is the Acting Director, Communication and Stakeholders Management at the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). She can be reach on